Road machine



April 12, 1938. c. A. GUsTAFsoN 2,113,941

' ROAD MACHINE Filed Feb. 2e, 1954 s sheets-sheet 1 Cem. H. GasTn/fson l Bi/M/f ATTOR E1.

April 12, 1938. c. A` GUsTAFsoN 2,113,941

RQAD MACHINE Filed Feb. ze, 1934 s sheets-sheet :e

I E? E- /46 ff ne laz) 76 rg INVENTOR. (qxl. Gus-reason ATTOR EY April 12, 1938. c. A. GUsTAFsoN ROAD MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Cer/ GUSTHFso/v M ff A TTORNEY 'fio ` Patented Apr. 1 2,

PATENT fol-Fics ROAD MACHINE Carl ArGustafson', Peoria; Ill., assignor to Caterpillar Tractor Co., San Leandro, Calif., a corporation ofl California v Application February 26, 1934, Serial No. 712,951

1o claims. (ci. 1984230)- Statementl of invention i The present invention relates to' road chines, and more particularly to the provision of an improvedv carrier construction for elevating -5 graders.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved carrier construction for elevating graders which insures eiiicient operation of the carrier belt without clogging or interruption .l "which might be caused by dirt, clods, rocks and the like on the inside ofthe carrier.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide 4 'an improved carrier for elevating graders h aving` the lower end constructed to provide compactness l to promote eflicient picking up .of material conveyed by the carrier belt.

to bev Another object of the invention is to provide an improved carrier for elevating graders in which the ground end of the carrier is kept fre'e from obstruction by dirt, clods and the like.

' Another object of the invention is to provide an improved carrier for elevating graders in which theground end of the carrier is completely covered and shrouded at the leading edge thereof during travel of the grader, while the trailing edge permits discharge of any material clinging on the inside of the carrier belt.

Another object of the; invention is to provide an improved carrier for elevating graders which Description of figures Fig. 1 is a rear end elevation of an elevating grader having a carrier constructed according to the instant invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 2-2 in Fig. l.

lower end of the carrier.

' Figs. 3`7 illustrate the construction of the Fig. 3 is a plan view of. the lower end ofthe carrier with certain'portions broken away to trate the constructionv more completely.

Fig. 4 is a'sectional view taken in the plane of illusg. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the -plane of the line 5--5 in Fig. 3.

the plane of the line 6'-6 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken 1 in the plane of theline 1-1 in Fi'g. 3. f

Figs. 8;-10 illustrate the construction o upper end of the carrier.

Fig.`6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in f lthe A Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view indicated by the line, 8-8 in Fig. 1, certain portions being Description of mechanism The elevating grader disclosed herein includes frame I0 having its rear end supported on axle il on which wheels I2 are mounted. The front end of the framei0 is supported on asuitable 15 front wheeland axle assembly, not shown, which has a draft connection for attatihment to a draft' vehicle.

The carrier comprises upper and lower sectionsl which are pivotally connected together and are adjustably supported by conventional means 20 from the frame of the machine in the following section taken in the plane of line' 5 described manner. Mounted on the carrier is an endless carrier belt which is driven from a prime mover, and is adapted to receive material from an earth-engaging tool or plow which is also adj ustablyy supported from the frame of the machine. The carrier (Fig. 1) includes upper section I6 and lower section I1 which are pivotally con-I nected at i8. Three pairs of opposite chains 2|, 22, 23 are connected to opposite sides of the carrier at the vupper and lower ends, and at the center thereof, only one chain of each pair being seen in Fig. 1. Each pair of chains have their ends wound around shafts (not shown) journaled on frame I0, which are rotated through gearing in respective housings 24 and through respective shafts 26 from gear box 21 which houses suitable reversible clutch mechanisms driven by engine 28. Toprevent longitudinal movement of the 40 chains 38 from the frame of the machine; chains 38 are operated by power from the motor to raise or lower the plow. All the clutch mechanisms in gear boi:v 21 control adjustments of the carrier and the plow by means of hand control levers 33 associated therewith adjacent operators seat 40.

Thus far has been described the conventional spective side frame membersll, 52 and extend\I the belt. Lower carrier section I1 (Figs. 1, 3 and 7) includes opposite side frame members 5|, 52 which are connected by a plurality of tubular struts 88. "AdjacenLthe top of side members 5|, 52, a plurality of rollers 58 are suitably journaled to carry the upper stretch of carrier belt 51., which passes over driving drum 59 (Fig. 8)

at the outer end of upper section I8 and roller-59 (Fig. 3) at the outer end ofA lower carrier section 4 |1. Drum 58 and roller 59 are described herein after in detail.

To confine the material withinv the width of belt 51, opposite side boards 8|. 82 (Flgal, 4 and K'1) are adjustably supported by `means `of brace members 88 secured at their lower ends to reface of belt 51 to confine the material thereon., Upper carrier section I8 is constructed similarly,l f

and corresponding reference numerals I applied thereto.

`From the foregoing description, it is seen that the .carrier construction provides closely spaced roller supports for the upper stretch of the endless carrier belt, and has side boards forming a `trough with the belt to coniine material thereon;

the side boards being vertically adjustable to compensate for wear in the iiexibk lstripes which seal the space between the lower edges of the side boards and the belt.

Driving drum`58 is constructed to provide durability and long life. Drum 58 (Figs. 8 and 9) includes a plurality of longitudinally disposed staves 1| of wood or other suitable material, which are mounted on a plurality of spaced drum heads,

' one at each end andone at the center of the 78 frame members 5|, 52 to provide for adjustment i,

drum. Staves 1| 'are secured to each drum head 12 by means ofv studs 18. (Fig. 9) has spaced lugs 14 which engage in notch portions 18 of adjacent staves 1| to hold the staves securely in place on the drum head during operation. Around staves 1|, a cover 12' of any suitable material, such as a heavy fiber sheet, is secured to engage belt 51. Each drum head 12 (Fig. 8) is keyed on shaft 18 which is Journaled at its right end in spaced bearings 19, 88 in housing 8| secured on bar 82. A suitable seal 85 is provided, seated in housing'll adjacent bearing 19 and engaging shaft 18, to prevent entry of deleterious matter within housing 8|. At its left end, shaft 18 is similarlydournaled in housing 83 mounted on bar 84 similar to bar 82. Bars 82, 84 are slidably mounted in any suitable manner on Each drum head 12 l animal of drum-58 longitudinally ofthe carrier to ten- I sion carrier belt 51.

ADriving drum 58 has a drive connection from engine 28. Within housing 8|, bevel gear 88 is keyed on the Itapered end of shaft 18; nut 81. being threaded on shaft 18 to secure the shaft with respect to housing 8| through the endwlse engagement of geary 86, bearing 88, housing 8|,

bearing 19, seal 95 and-ashoulder on shaft 18.

Gear 86 meshes with bevel pinion 88 on stub shaft 89 Journaled in bearings 98 in housing 8|. Adjusting screw 9| threaded in housing 8| and urging a suitable ball against the end of shaft 18 determines proper meshing of gear 8.6 and pinion 88. Shaft 89 extends out of housing 8| through sealing collar 92, and has coupling member 98 se'- lcured thereon having splined engagement with coupling member 94 on shaft 98. The engagement of coupling members 93, 94 is maintained bycollar 91, seated on a reduced portion of member 94 and secured by suitable screws to member 98. Shaft198 (Fig. 1) is telescopic and extends -inwardly along the carrier, and is universally connected to shaft 91 driven through suitable clutch means from engine 28. Itis seen, therefore, that the drive-for the carrier belt is of a simple and durable construction which can be economically manufacturdxand assembled. Itis to be-noted that gear connection from shaft 98 to drum 58 is sealed against the entry /of deleterious matter.

In Fig. 10, a modied and preferred construc- I tion ofthe belt driving drum is illustrated. I'he drum includes lcentral ldrum portion 99 welded, as indicated at |8|; at its ends to similar drum heads |88; only one head |88 is illustrated. By virtue of the welded connection, portion 99 and heads |88 provide an unbroken drum surface to which a suitable-'covering is secured to engage the carrier belt. Each drum head |88 has an inner annular flange |82 to which, end .flange |88 of shaft |84 is secured by a plurality of screws |85. Right end shaft |84 and a similar left end shaft (not'shown) are supported in housings 8| and 83 similarly to shaft 18 (Fig. 8). The above construction promotes economicalmanufacture and assembly',"'and insures long life without replacement or repairs. c

The ground end of lower carrier section |1 is` constructed to protect the belt against injury from foreign matter, such ,as gravel, clods and4 the'like, while providirm a compact construction l to position thebelt as close to the ground as possible. Adjacent their ground ends, side frame members 5|, 52 (Figs. 3, 5 and 7) arebraced by cross chan'nel |88 secured thereto. Outwardly from channel '|88 (Fig. 5), the upper partvof 'frame member 52' is cut away to provide extension |81 having brace |88 welded thereto. Side member 5| (Fig. 3) has similar extension |88, which is connected to extension |81 by cross plate 8, having bar secured along the outer edge thereof. Lower roller 59 (Fig. 3) is of small diameter and comprises a cylinder |2 having head I3 welded at each end thereof; each head ||9 terminating in shaft extension H4. Left-hand shaft extension |4 is journaled by bearing ||5in housing ||8 on frame extension |89. At. the right end, roller 59 is similarly supported `in housing l A:2,113,941 spective side boards 6|, 62 (Figs. l and 5). Plate ||0and bar (Fig. 3) are bent upwardly at their left or leading ends to provide a shoe to engage the earth as the carrier advances.

For protecting the belt at the ground end, various means are employed which will be described in the sequence in which they cooperate with the advancing belt. As the ground `stretchof belt 51 advances toward .the lower end of the carrier, means are provided for cleaning both the upper and lower sides thereof to protect the belt from injury as it passes over end roller 59. To protect and clean the bottom side of the ground stretch of the belt and to hold said ground ,stretch in a position to have the upper side thereof thoroughly cleaned, a protecting basket is provided, comprisinga plurality of longitudinal and laterally spaced strips 3| (Figs. 3.and 7) secured adjacent their forward ends to cross angle |3 2 and at their rear ends to channel |06. As illustrated in Fig. 7,

the top ends of strips |3| are curved downwardly Below the basket.

to facilitate passage of belt 51. removable plate |34 is positioned between angle |32 andchannel |06; said plate having its rear'end bent to rest on channel |06, notches |36 being provided to engage around strips |3|. Cross straps |31 (Figs. 1 and 7) having their ends bolted to respective side frame members 5I, 52

construction described acts to remove dirt or -other similar deleterious matter which might collect on the under ysurface of the ground stretch, and also serves to provide a planar support to cooperate with scraping for cleaning the uppcr side of the ground stretch. If, in the character of the work, plate |34 is not necessary to protect the belt, it can be removed.

The upper surface of the ground stretchof the belt is cleaned by means provided between the side frame members of the carrier and overl basket |3|. Such means has a oating engagement with said upper belt surface of the ground stretch. The belt cleaning means comprises a `V-shaped cleaner (Fig. 3) including forwardly converging angles |4| secured at their front ends by welding to strip |42, and connected at their rear or lower ends by cross angle |43 `welded thereto. The faces of angles |4I (Figs. 3 and 7) i are covered by strips |46 of suitable flexible material extending below angles |4| to engage Vbelt 51. To provide for floating engagement of the l cleaner with the belt, links |5I are pivoted at one end on studs |52 in brackets |53 secured to respective frame members 5|, 52, and at their other ends on pins |56 in brackets |51 welded to the respective ends of cross angle |43.

The basket |3| which guides and supports the ground stretch of the -belt serves to maintain it substantially in a lplane for engagement with the V belt cleaner |4|, which by virtue of its oating mounting is maintained in constant engagement angle |4| is similarly formed at lright-hand opening |59. Each opening |59 is protected at the top by shrouding angle |6| welded to frame 5|, 52 above said openings |59. Thus, the top surface of the ground stretch of the endless carrier is swept clean by the belt cleaner of all large foreign Thus, it is seen that the r particles and any mass of finer particles. However, acertain amount of ne material will pass between the cleaner and the belt, and, as a result,

between end roller 59 and the belt. If this material is at all damp, an undesirable caking might occur on the roller and the inside of the belt; and means are provided for scraping roller 59 and belt 51 free of caked material.

To accomplish the above noted purpose of freeingA caked material from roller 59 and the belt, scraping means are provided to remove material from the roller and the inner surface -of the belt; and a chain type cleaner is mounted in a pan which receives material, carries the material to one side, and out through an lunrestricted opening. The pan is formed of sheet metal and includes bottom plate |1| (Figs. 3, 4 and 6) which is secured at its leftend to frame member 5| by strap |12 and at the right end (Fig. 4) to angle |08 by stud |13. Plate|1| is also secured--at its left end to angle |14 similar to angle |08. At its left end, plate -|1| has an integral extension including vertical wall |16 (Figs. 3 and 4) and top wall |11 to providea shroud for precluding en-` Itis to be noted that the material scraped from roller 59 and belt 51 by respective scrapers |8| and |83,will fall into the trough formed between scraper |8| and framework |82. Endless chain means are provided around framework |82 for removing this material. Endless chain |86 (Fig.

3), having lugs |81 extending outwardly therefrom, is mounted at its left end on idler sprocket |88 (Fig. 4) journaled on stud |89 within cover |9I, andat its right end on driving sprocket |96 on. shaft |91 in housing ||1. Driving sprocket |95 drives chain |86 so that lugs |81 (Figs. 3 and 6) traveling between frame |82 and scraper |8I,

discharge the loose material onto the ground through an opening |98 (Figs. 1 and 5) at the trailing end of plate |1|. Any dirt and the like which may cling vto lugs |81 and chain |86 is shaken loose by chain |86 when traveling over the inactive stretch of the chain cleaner and falls through apertures |99 in plate |1| onto the belt 51. Such dirt then repeats the cycle of travel previously explained and is ultimately discharged. Hence, no large amount of dirt can accumulate.

To tighten chain |86, housing |9| (Figs. 3u and 4) is adjustable by loosening stud |89, plate |1| being slotted at 20| to accommodate movement of stud |89. Sprocket |96 (Fig. 5) is Jsecured on shaft |91 by means of a suitable shear pin which is designed to break in the event chain |86 becomes clogged to `avoid damage to the parts. Above housing |9| (Fig. 4), shield 202 is pivoted at 203 on side board 6|, and extends downwardly resting on housing |9|. vAs indicated in phantom lines in Fig. 3, shield 202 extends from the solid portion of side member 5| to above roller 59 to prevent earth falling onto the bottom stretch of the carrier belt through the cut-away portion of side member`5| during travel of the machine. The chain cleaner described above is driven from the belt through end roller 59. Within housing ||1 (Fig. 5) shaft |91 has a large spur gear l200 secured thereon, meshing with small spur gear 201 on shaft 209, also journaled l in housing H1. At its lower end, shaft 200 caring sprocket |96 is suspended below housing III so that a clear discharge opening is provided ,at the discharge end of the chain cleaner.

The means for adjusting roller 59 with respect to scraper |9| to obtain proper alignment thereoi and of belt 51, comprises a slidable mounting for housing Aand housing ||6 which support the ends of roller 59. Housing (Figs. 4`and 5) is slidably mounted on angle |09 and is connected to strap 2|6 which is also slidable `on an- Ygle |00, being disposed between angle |08 and plate |1| (Fig. 4). Strap 2|9 is slotted to provide for movement thereof with respect to stud |13. Movement of strap 2|6, housing and roller 59 at its right end, is accomplished by set screw 2|1 (Figs. 3 and 5) abutting the upright portion of strap 2 I6 and urging, when it is turned to move inwardly, the roller against the belt. At

its left or leading end, roller 59 is supported in ^housing ||6 on stratii 2|8 (Figs. 3 and 4) slidably mounted on angle Illvunder plate |`|I similarly to strap 2|6. Set screw 2|9 (Fig. 3) provides for adjustment of strap 2|9, housing |l6 and the left end of roller 59 in `the manner described in connection with set screw 2H.

'Ihe bottom of the pick-up turn of the belt is protected by means including plate |34 and channel |06. In order to allow access through the protecting means for cleaning or removing dirt which might gather adjacent the pick-up end of the belt, a hinged clean out plate is provided to form part of the protecting means. This hinged plate .can'be Aswung out of position when desired to allow for the access pointed out. Plate 226` (Fig. 4) is pivoted at 221 on frame member 5| to opposite frame member 52. With certain conditions of operation it might be desirable `to leave plate 226 open. For this purpose, bolt 229 -can beremoved and plate 226 allowed to swing downwardly; being held in a displaced position by chain 229 connected thereto and to the carrier frame. j

From the foregoing description. it is. seen that a compact construction is provided at the lower lend of the carrier which includes means for preventing the entry of any large 'particles of foreign material between thebelt and the end roller therefor, and to prevent any excessive`caking of material on the roller during operation. It is to be noted also that theleading ground edge of the carrier is fully shrouded to prevent the entry of any dirt or the like which `may pile up in front of the carrier during operation, while openings are provided at the trailing ground edge thereof` to permit discharge of dirt and the like,

these openings being shrouded from the top.

Therefore, I claim as my invention:

1. In an elevating grader, a carrier having a frame, a plurality of rollers on said frame including an end roller, 'and anv endless belt 'passing oversaid rollers; and means for removing* materia] from the ground stretch oi said belt prior to its passing over said end roller, including opposite apertures in said frame, a substantially v-shaped cleaner structure diverging outwardly in the direction of travel of said belt ground stretch, and terminating at said apertures, means mounting said cleaner structure on said frame for oating engagement with said belt ground stretch, and means engaging the portion oi said belt ground stretch engaged by said cleaner structure for maintaining a substantially planar conditio'n thereof. 1

2. In an elevating grader, a carrier having a frame, a plurality of rollers on saidirane includover said rollers; and means for removingL foreign material from the ground stretch of said belt prior ing an end roller, and an endless belt passing toits passing over said end roller, including a portion of said belt ground stretch engaged byv said cleaner structure for maintaining a substantially planar condition thereof.

3. In an elevating grader, a carrier having a end roller, meansmounting said cleaner structure on said frame for floating engagement with said conveyor ground stretch, spaced members engaging the portiony of said conveyor ground stretch engaged by said cleaner structure for maintaining a substantially planar condition thereof.' and a protecting plate detachably secured to said carrier underneath said spaced members. l

4. In an elevating grader, a 'carrier disposed transversely of the direction of travel of the grader and having a pick-up end, a roller at said end, an endless conveyor on said carrier passing around said roller, a passage adjacent said miler, means for collecting material adjacent said roller and depositing such material into said passage. means for removing deposited material from said passage, a hinged protecting member covering the bottom surface of said carrier adjacent said material removing means, meansi'or normally holding said member in closed position and additional means i'or optionally maintaining said member in open position and away from said material removing means to allow free discharge of material which might gather adjacent the pick-up end of the conveyor. v

5. In an elevating grader, a carrier disposed transversely` of the directionl of vtravel of the grader and having a pick-up end, a roller at said .end, an endless belt on said carrier passing around said roller, a passage adjacent said roller, means for collecting material that passesvadjacent said roller and depositing such material into said passage, the end of said passage at the leading edge of said carrier being closed, the other en'd of said passage being open, a chain conveyor for removing deposited material from said passage through theopen end thereof; and driving means for said conveyor, including a sprocket engaging said conveyor at said open end,=and a drive housing mounted above and shrouding said open end so as to leave said passage unobstructed, and including a drive connection for said sprocket.

6. In an .elevating grader, a carrier disposed grader and having a pick-up end, a roller at said veyor ground stretch, and opposite apertures in end, an endless belt on said carrier passing around said roller, a passage adjacent said roller, means for collecting material that passes adjacent said roller and depositing such material into said passage, the end of said passage at the leading edge of said carrier being closed, the other end of said passage being open, a conveyor for removing deposited material from said passage through the open end thereof, driving means for said conveyor including means engaging said conveyor at said open end, and a drive housing mounted above and shrouding said open end so as to leave said passage unobstructed, and including a drive connection for said sprocket.

'7. In an elevating grader, a carrier disposed transversely of the direction of travel of the grader and having a pick-up end, a roller at said end, an endless belt on said carrier passing around said roller, a passage adjacent said roller, means for collecting material that passes adjacent said roller and depositing such material into said passage, the end of said passage at the leading edge of said carrier being closed, the other end of said passage being open, a conveyor for removing deposited material from said passage through the open end thereof; and driving means for said conveyor, including a driving member engaging said conveyor at said open end, a drive housing mounted above and shrouding said open end so as to leave said passage unobstructed, and including a shaft and a shear pin establishing a drive connection between said shaft and` said driving member.

8. In an elevating grader, a carrier having a frame and having its pick-up end disposed transversely to the direction of travel of the grader;

a roller at said end; an endless conveyor passing said frame cooperating with said discharge ends to receive material from said conveyor; and shields associated with said apertures for protecting said apertures.

9. In an elevating grader, a carrier disposed transversely of the direction of travel of the grader and having a pick-up end, a roller at said end, an endless conveyor on said carrier passing around said roller, a passage adjacent said roller, means for collecting material adjacent said roller and depositing such material into said passage, and means for removing deposited material from said passage, the end of said passage at the leading edge of said carrier being closed against entrance of material, and the other end of said passage being open to allow escape of collected material, and driving means for operating said removing means, said driving means being supported above the open end and shrouding said passage to provide a protected discharge end therefor.

10. In an elevating grader, a carrier disposed transversely of the direction of travel of the grader and having a pick-up end, a roller at said end, an endless conveyor on said carrier passing around said roller, a passage adjacent said roller, means for collecting material adjacent said roller and depositing such material into said passage and means for removing deposited material from said passage, the end of said passage at the leading edge of said carrier being closed against entrance of material, and the other end of said passage being open to allow escape of collected material, driving means for operating said removing means, said driving means being supported above the open end and shrouding -said passage to provide a protected open discharge end therefor, and a drive connection between said roller and said driving means, said driving means and roller being supported for adjustment with respect to said material collecting means.

CARL A. GUsTAFsoN. 

